24: HOW TO BREED A H0K3E. 



the price ; and, as to their powers for draught or burden, 

 it is only necessary to say that men weighing twenty 

 horseman's stone, or 280 pounds, find no difficulty, being 

 willing to pay the price, in getting hunters nearly tho- 

 rough-bred — none others than such could do it — capable 

 of carrying them across country, over hedges, brooks and 

 timber, as fost as fox-hounds can run. But — ^for there is a 

 hit — Boston went blind, and his best son, Lexington, has 

 gone blind also, first of one eye, and then completely ; and 

 this fatal fact sets Boston aside forever as a country 

 breeder's horse. 



From the foregoing, then, may be deduced the following 

 General Rqles: 



First. The more valuable horses are the most econom- 

 ical for all purposes. 



Second. The more "blood" compatible with the size 

 required, the better, — the high-bred animal having greater 

 quickness^ strength^ bottom^ health and vigor of constitution, 

 as well as courage and pluck. 



Third. The "blood" should be on the side of the sire ; 

 that is, the stallion should be thorough-bred, or at least of 

 purer blood than the mare. 



Fourth. Choose a stallion in every respect sound, short 

 backed, well ribbed up, short in the saddle-place and long- 

 below, with high withers, broad loins, broad chest, straight 

 rump, a high and muscular but not heefy crest, a lean, 

 bony, well-set-on head, a bright, clear, smallish, well- 

 placed eye, broad nostrils and small "ears. His fore legs 

 above the knee, and the hind legs above the hock, should 

 be long and muscular, and below these joints short and 

 bony. The bones of the legs should be large, flat, and 

 free from excrescences — the sinews clear, straight, and 

 hard to the touch. 



